Reality Check: In the event of a fire, is your home safe?

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - The fire marshal says part of the task force's goal will be to promote programs for fire safety. So we asked the question: what can you do to prepare for a fire?

You've heard it before: fire safety starts with a smoke alarm. But saving your life and your family's lives starts by knowing how to use that simple device.

"Basically when you buy a smoke detector, it comes with directions with where to install them and where not to install them," Captain Curtis Works, with the Lexington Fire Department.

You should hear the sound of smoke alarm at least twice a year even if you don't have a fire or smoke in your home. That's how often you're supposed to test them, making sure the batteries aren't dead and the device isn't faulty.

"Most of them will have a test button, and you just press until it activates. Some of them you have to hold for a couple seconds," said Capt. Works.

For instance, hot air and smoke rises, so you need to place smoke detectors out of dead air space zones.

"They don't want it any lower than six to 12 inches from the ceiling. And on the ceiling, they want at least a foot or so away from the wall," said Capt. Works.

And as the captain explained to WKYT, having the most expensive detector isn't necessarily the best.

"They cost maybe like four dollars, and you can get them at any kind of hardware store," said Capt. Works. "But if you don't have anything at all, having something is key."

And if you need help putting up smoke alarms, the captain says don't hesitate to call the Lexington Fire Department. They'll do it for free.

Two-thirds of home fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no smoke alarms that work.

This year alone there have been 25 deaths because of house fires in Kentucky.

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